African violet plant named Betty

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of African violet plant named Betty characterized by its compact growth habit, dark green serrated leaves, strong, upright flower stems, each of which carries 5-7 and more flowers, the flowers being frilled and waved and mainly white in color with dark purple centers, uniform growth habit, long lasting and non-dropping flowers, and its ability to produce a saleable plant with a fully developed flower head 8-10 weeks after potting.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Africanviolet plant, botanically known as Saintpaulia ionantha, and namedBetty.

The new cultivar was referred to during the breeding and selectionprocess by the designation G 12/XV, and is a product of a plannedbreeding program.

The new cultivar was originated from a cross made in a controlledbreeding program in Isselburg, West Germany. The female, or seed parentwas a cultivar designated XIX 4158 Red. The male, or pollen parent was acultivar designated 67 Red Girl.

The new cultivar Betty was discovered and selected by me as a floweringplant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environmentin Isselburg, West Germany. Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar byleaf cuttings and by division of shoots, as performed by me atIsselburg, West Germany, has demonstrated that the combination ofcharacteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmlyfixed and are retained through successive generations of asexualreproduction.

Betty has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions.The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment suchas temperature, light intensity and day length. The followingobservations, measurements and values describe the new cultivar as grownin Isselburg, West Germany, and Nashville, Tenn. under greenhouseconditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercialpractice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Betty, which in combination distinguish thisAfrican violet as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Compact growth habit.

2. Dark green serrated leaves.

3. Seven to nine strong, upright and wire-like flower stems eachcarrying 5-7 or more flowers.

4. The flowers are frilled and wavy, with the flower color being mainlywhite but dark purple in the center; the purple tinging occasionallyextends from the center toward the edge of the petals.

5. Uniform growth habit, with the leaf petioles not stretching.

6. Highly floriferous, compact flower head, with the flowers being longlasting and non-dropping.

7. Fast producer, with a saleable pot having a compact flower head beingfully developed 8-10 weeks after potting.

The accompanying photograhic drawing shows a typical specimen plant ofthe new cultivar. The colors appearing in the photograph are as true aspossible with color illustrations of this type.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), except where general colorsof ordinary significance are referred to. Color values were taken undernatural light conditions at 3 P.M. in late November in Nashville, Tenn.

Botanical classification: Saintpaulia ionantha, Ramat. cv. BETTY.

Parentage:

Male parent.--67 Red Girl.

Female parent.--XIX 4158 Red.

Propagation: The new cultivar holds its distinguishing characteristicsthrough successive propagations by leaf cuttings and by division ofshoots.

Plant: From 5 cm. to 8 cm. tall when grown in pots, and approximately20-22 cm. in diameter when fully grown.

Leaves.--General Form: Oval. Diameter: 50-60 mm. Texture: Leather-like.Aspect: Heavily serrated indentations; shiny. Veins: Pronounced lightgreen; shiny. Color (upperside): Yellow green 147 between A-B. Color(underside): Yellow green 148D. Petiole: Brownish Purple.

Flowers.--Buds: Ball-shape. Sepals: Color: Light green. Calyx: Flatfunnel. Aspect: Spear shape; hairy. Peduncle: Short and upright.

Individual flowers.--Size: 40-45 mm. Color: Upperside: White, withcenter purple violet 82A. Underside: White, slightly purple. Borne: Onupright, short wire-like peduncles. Shape: Violet shape, frilled, wavy.Flowering time: In 8-10 weeks after potting, a saleable plant isproduced with a fully developed flower head just above the leaves.

Reproductive organs.--Anthers: 2 composed out of 4 cells. Filaments:Bright green ovary. Styles: Light purple; white stigma.

Roots: White when young and active; brownish when older.

Disease resistance: Good as experienced to date.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of African violet plant namedBetty, as described and illustrated, and particularly characterized byits compact growth habit, dark green serrated leaves, strong, uprightflower stems, each of which carries 5-7 and more flowers, the flowersbeing frilled and waved and mainly white in color with dark purplecenters, uniform growth habit, long lasting and non-dropping flowers,and its ability to produce a saleable plant with a fully developedflower head 8-10 weeks after potting.